Tag Media Digest

Over at United Rant we spend the week spent catching up on the beautiful game so you don’t have to. News, opinion, blogs and nonsense – join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United press – Media Digest.

A lot has been written about Rooney and this week is no exception – as usual, there are different takes on his persona. An article on Bleacher Report compares Rooney to Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, always putting up numbers but never leading his team to glory. Another, on Red Mancunian, suggests that supporters finally judge Wayne by his ‘footballing’ contributions, and nothing else. Many agree, though, that Rooney’s contribution is diminishing – as one commentator put it, the Scouser is a Rolls Royce with too many miles on the clock.

United fans have already read all the arguments for and against, so perhaps it’s time to move on. Take Red Rants, for example, which takes look at how things are going so far for two forwards signed by United and Liverpool this summer:

“It really is spectacular how positive many Liverpool fans were regarding the signing of a player who had the lowest shot conversion rate of any player in the top tiers in Europe last year for AC Milan. The same player that in all of his 54 premier league appearances only managed two assists… Though Falcao has so far failed to be a regular feature on the score sheet, he has two assists and a goal to his name within considerably less playing time. Currently there is one player who’s more likely to be at the top of the brightly coloured Sky Sports info graphics and he isn’t named after a plumber… But of course Liverpool fans aren’t bothered by the sale of Luis Suarez as like anyone who dares to leave them, they never liked him anyway.”

“Look at his record at United last year… His 14 starts and six goals (as well as four assists) was a very decent return, and he played an impressive role for United in the second half of last season. This season is different though; with Mata struggling to find his place in this team, his performances have ultimately suffered. And glancing even further down his career record, you begin to see a similar path unfold during his time at Chelsea… It is a story not too dissimilar to Shinji Kagawa and his relationship with David Moyes… If Van Gaal is keen on Mata and wants to work with him during his tenure as United manager, he must alter things to ensure Mata is in a role that suits him on the ground.”

But even if fans are concerned with United’s current forward line many have performed admirably over the years. Rooney, van Persie, and former United players Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov were all included in Opta’s top 10 forwards of the past decade, as reported by The Peoples Person.

“After the fall, nobody knows, nobody helps… Surrender.”

Elsewhere, the rule ‘the less said about it, the better’ could be applied to United’s defence. There is no chance fans can ignore the issue of late, but rather than focus on the negative, some have chosen to look on the bright side. Rob Dawson, in his article for Bleacher Report, hopes that Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair are the future of Manchester United

“[Van Gaal] didn’t envisage giving first-team debuts to Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair this season. But that’s what has happened… There have been flashes of naivety, but that’s to be expected. What perhaps wasn’t expected was McNair keeping Everton’s Romelu Lukaku unusually quiet in just his second senior game. Blackett, 20, and McNair, 19, need to fill out physically. And they’ve both got more to learn about what can only be called the art of defending… But young players do not get many chances in top-level senior football. And it’s a credit to United’s academy that two youngsters have been able to make the most of theirs.”

“If another Keano is going to be found then it won’t be done by simply buying him in as many have suggested with Vidal. It will be crafted from a raw, raging diamond at United as Keane was and as Ronaldo was… Vidal, brilliant as he is, is not United’s next Keane. Can anyone imagine Roy teasing a move all summer via his agent, social media and the newspapers throughout a summer? Not a chance… It won’t be Daley Blind either, he’s the ice to Keane’s fire but still a quality and clever footballer who massively improves us nonetheless. It could be Herrera, he has Keane’s combative nature and relishes the physical side of PL [but] seems abit too boyish and happy-go-lucky. It definitely is not United’s current captain, he shares some of that rage but it’s toned down these days and when it does show it’s petulant and counterproductive…

Maybe the conclusion is to stop this never ending quest for a man to fill the boots of, as Rob Smyth once described him, the Tony Soprano of football… Just be happy be happy with a new team of damn fine players giving some optimism to Old Trafford again.”

As for Keano? He is, well, funny. At least that’s what Jim White thinks as he profiles Keane in an article for The Telegraph:

“A man who has a reputation as being, well, frankly psychotic, latterly seen on television terrifying the living daylights out of Adrian Chiles or scowling on the Aston Villa bench while wearing a beard of biblical scale, turns out to have the timing of a stand-up comedian. He is also hugely self-deprecating, relaxed and indiscreet. Against all preconception, an evening in his company provides a wholly unexpected opportunity to roar with laughter.”

“For the most part, the general tone is one of sympathy for Moyes. Yet there is a killer passage about the way his successor slowed down United’s playing style, along with the other observations that it was a “massive jump from Everton” and “he hadn’t realised just how big United is as a club.”

“Surely people don’t really believe the Glazer family would allow the new manager to be chosen by one person?” writes Ferguson in his updated biography. Well, actually, yes they do. Unless, of course, we are expected to believe that it was Joel, Bryan, or Avi perhaps, who decided the best candidate was the manager from Everton, with next to no Champions League experience, no previous trophies, and no form when it comes to working with a major budget.

“It would be intriguing to know if Moyes was aware of [conversations with Ferdinand and Evra], because if not, this is straying dangerously close to Sir Matt Busby and Frank O’Farrell territory – exactly what Ferguson said would never happen,” conclused Taylor. Well, quite.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

“God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts”

Former United player Rio Ferdinand has had much to say about Kick It Out in recent days. “We are in a better place now, but there is still work to be done,” said Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, reflecting on the past twenty years of the campaign. But as Jonathan Allsop writes in his blog, there is still a long way to go before racism, sexism and homophobia is kicked out of football.

“It’s clear that we can’t rely on the so-called role models who play, manage, administer and commentate on our national game to set an example when it comes to fighting discrimination in all its forms. Malky Mackay and the League Managers’ Association are the latest in a long line of those whose bigoted views have disgraced the game including the likes of John Terry, Richard Scudamore, Ron Atkinson and Alan Green. And typically the BBC were only too happy to include the fascist Paolo di Canio as a talking head in its recent smugfest celebrating fifty years of Match of the Day. ‘Haha, look at the daft fascist pushing the referee over…’”

“Can’t help myself but count the flaws”

A lot has been written about Wayne Rooney: the brilliant, the stupid, the beautiful, and the ugly. He is the loved one, the hated one, the captain, and the embarrassment all at the same time. The debate stops only until Rooney produces the next best or the worst thing – and then it starts all over again. This time it’s the latter; Rooney’s red card against West Ham United and his perceived lack of leadership qualities – at least those beyond yelling.

Unsurprisingly, it looks like recent events failed to sway any of the camps, either pro- or anti-Rooney. Consider the titles: the Daily Mail leads with “Wayne Rooney is a success story and the haters can’t handle it.” Stretty News strongly responds with “Wayne Rooney: Petulant, pathetic, past his best!” The (anti)hero thinks his best years are yet to come, even if some wish they’d come elsewhere; after all, as that Daily Mail’s article states, once he becomes United’s all-time top goalscorer, he can laugh at all of us.

On the other hand, Jeremy Wilson put it perfectly when he said on Sky Sports’ panel dedicated to Rooney: “I always feel that there’s a simmering frustration that what has been a very, very good career has not quite gone to the stratosphere that you would hope.”

But should that make him a scapegoat? Sam Pilger, writing for Bleacher Report, does not think so, concluding that Rooney deserves more love at United.

“So Rooney didn’t become Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Deal with it. No other player in the last decade has either, so why single out Rooney?

“Denis Law demanded a pay rise from Sir Matt Busby in the 1960s and was transfer listed, and Eric Cantona, while serving an eight-month ban for kicking a Crystal Palace fan (now that was recklessness on a grand scale), also asked to leave in 1995. George Best didn’t even ask to leave; he simply walked out of Old Trafford without a backward glance in May 1972 by announcing his retirement the day before he turned 26 and fleeing to a beach in Spain. He returned 12 days later.”

However, there’s still a question of leadership – or lack of it. Jim White, in his column for The Telegraph, thinks that United need a new Keane:

“[Keane] was United’s conscience, providing purpose on the pitch, quick to remind colleagues of their responsibilities in the dressing room. For more than a decade his glowering brow epitomised the team’s relentless determination to win… This was a man whose very presence issued constant notice of the standard expected, the merest glance prompting memories of his own unyielding performance against Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi in 1999. When Keane was around, nobody dared shirk. Where Keane went, everybody was obliged to follow. Such leadership qualities have become only more obvious since they have been no longer available. It is a vacuum which, according to Louis van Gaal, was particularly stark when the new manager arrived in Manchester at the start of this season.”

Oh, and that red card? Could Rooney’s stupidity might lead to something good? Red Mancunian’s Mark Nevin thinks it’s a blessing in disguise:

“It hands an opportunity to Juan Mata to prove that he can be a more effective option than the United skipper in the hole behind the two main strikers. It also moves Adnan Januzaj up the pecking order. We don’t want to see him burnt out, but with so many quality attacking players there’s a real danger of him not getting the game time he needs to continue his development. It also means someone else picking up the captaincy. I suspect, however, that after the three games there’ll be an even bigger question mark over his position as a regular starter and that Van Gaal may be forced to reassess his view of his leadership qualities.”

“I’ll be here giving it my best shot”

Forced by circumstances or not, Van Gaal has already given an opportunity to so many youngsters that it is almost possible to field a team of kids. Tyler Blackett has not only started a few games, but performed impressively too. In the Daily Mail Adam Crafton profiles the youngster, touching on the roots of the player’s dedication, United’s youth policy and Tyler’s professionalism:

“On Tuesday, United players were granted a day off but still Blackett came in, determined to push himself, picking over his performances and organising an extra session in the gym… It is not only his attitude that has struck Van Gaal and his close-knit team of advisers. For a defender, the goals against column is the ultimate measure of success, but coaches have been lifted by Blackett’s distribution. At home to QPR, 97.9 per cent of Blackett’s 97 passes were successful, a better record than any other United player on the day… The defender’s level-headed approach is admirable. His parents must take much of the credit. So too must the United academy, where Blackett first trained at the age of seven.”

“Everything he does just evokes the persona of a really calm chap, you’d trust him to cut your hair during an earthquake. There’s certainly some further development that needs to happen… [but it] can only happen to certain extents depending on the players that surround you… Tyler Blackett is that unfortunate pupil, who has lots of potential and good qualities but can’t utilise it to a full extent because he is surrounded by a panicky and introverted weirdo, or in other words, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. The lack of leadership at the back makes life much harder for someone who is finding their feet in the Premier League. If pressure were alleviated more competently in defence then Blackett would be able to acclimatize and improve at a much faster rate.”

“Come make a mess of it. Shine!”

When Van Gaal first came to the club, the Dutchman made a promise to turn things around in three months. Even though he later changed the self-imposed deadline to a full year, it’s interesting to see just where the club is three months into Dutchman’s reign.

Ian Ladyman is not entirely convinced with van Gaal’s achievements thus far. In his article for Daily Mail he writes:

“United can look a completely different team within the space one match, never mind one week, and the reasons for this go deeper than an injury crisis… For all the technical quality of United’s offensive players – Herrera in particular looks a fine footballer – United continue to have difficulties retaining possession for long periods. Ferguson used to talk about suffocating opponents with possession but that trait began to slip away during his later years and it’s problem that went on to afflict Moyes’ United and is now causing difficulties for Van Gaal… A team that can look as devastating as any when it moves forward still spends too much time without the ball, despite the endless passing drills that Van Gaal asks his coaches to organise on a daily basis during first ream training.”

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest, which in this issue covers not one, but the past two weeks.

Blogs

The season has started! United has been four dull games late to the party, but after the international break fans finally got a chance to see a re-energized side in action. Even as the Reds were burning against Leicester City, one couldn’t escape the thought that this was somehow a small measure of progress. Slowly, United is getting there.

“Happy endings may get a bad rep, but they do happen.”

Few doubt that David Moyes’ time at United was a failure and he had mostly himself to blame. But did anything good come from the period? Paul Gunning suggests in his article for Republik of Mancunia that supporters should be at the very least thankful for the reality check the Scot provided:

“Sometimes, a period of illness can almost seem worth it as you begin to recover. You step back out into the world with fresh eyes and a greater appreciation for the beauty that surrounds you. It has always been there, but you had stopped noticing it; taken it for granted. Suddenly the future looks bright and you know that, even when things take a turn for the worse, you can draw strength from the memory of dark times in your past that you have negotiated.”

But even so, it wasn’t pretty. While fans are yet to hear many details, some are slowly surfacing. Rio Ferdinand provided the most recent in his autobiography. While Red Mancunian’s Mark Nevin was not fond of the revelations, he also notes:

“One of the first principles of effective man-management is not to allow yourself to get dragged into disagreements over issues that are at best peripheral: in other words, if you’re going to upset your employees, only do it over something important… Banning the eating of low-fat chips falls into the same category. Its impact on performance is almost certainly negligible: all it achieves is to annoy those at the receiving end of the dictum. ‘Win the person not the argument’ is another common management slogan… We may, in time, find similar criticisms levelled at Van Gaal… His control, however, is aimed squarely at those areas that impact on performance and team bonding and which will unquestionably make sense to the players under his charge..”

Things have definitely moved on since last April (for a memory refresh Beautifully Redreviewed United’s summer in .gif format.) For one, the club finally spent some money. Does it mean United lost its identity and abandoned the ‘way of youthful?’ Almost every blog touched on this topic in recent times and the universal agreement is that the club’s identity is just fine.

The Peoples Person features a thorough look at the topic by Doc Joshi, who argues:

“The Class of ’92 played alongside the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Eric Cantona, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Brian McClair and Denis Irwin – all seasoned professionals at the peak of their powers. They had players like Roy Keane and Andy Cole proven at the highest level who were yet to hit their peak years. It was a team filled with quality as well as promise. The point is not that we are abandoning our faith in youth but we are concentrating on elevating the first team to the standard expected of a Manchester United side… It is easier to bring in young players when you are in a position of strength.”

As Richard Cann notes in his article for Stretty News, “when it’s United different rules apply, for they are eternally damned if they do and damned if they don’t”. Cann then smashes critics’ doublethink:

“However, criticism of Woodward, Van Gaal et al since the early editions were printed on the morning of September 2nd has not only centred on the failure to recruit in certain areas. Instead, commentators aimed their arrows at the very overspending that many had insisted would be necessary weeks before and…actions considered to be betrayal of United’s fabled faith in youth and home-grown talent… Perhaps what is most remarkable about the claims that United have broken from their history and ushered in a new Galactico era is that it totally ignores Sir Alex’s time at the club prior to the Glazer takeover, when his United regularly broke the British transfer record and paid out what were vast sums for both young talents and proven quality.”

After all several young players have featured for United this season and quite a few are expected to follow the lead.

“You really have to want to quit. You gotta hit rock bottom.”

Late on 1 September Danny Welbeck left the club for Arsenal, breaking a few hearts and igniting an identity-lost-or-found-debate along the way. Whilst it was a good move for all parties concerned, many fans were disappointed to see the striker go: Manchester born and bred, saying goodbye to his boyhood club, dreams shattered. The scenes.

“Our club’s identity is shaped by those who embody it. Players who ‘get it’, Danny Welbeck is a prime example of that… “When the ball went in, that feeling… if that feeling was a drug I would be dead!” Welbeck said of his first United goal.”

He then, soberly, adds:

“I write with a heavy heart but it’s for purely sentimental reasons I wish the transfer hadn’t happened. I trust in our manager’s vision and if it is felt that a youth product isn’t good enough for our first-team then I accept that.”

In the end, though, as William Dawson argues in his piece for Red Rants:

“The jokes hide the pain but it must be said that there is no sarcasm when wishing Danny the best of luck and saying he will be sorely missed… Hopefully one day after he’s developed into the world-class striker he has the potential to be, he might be back at Old Trafford. Danny Welbeck. Forever a Manchester Lad from Longsight. Our Danny.”

Press

“All those things that weren’t supposed to happen? They happened. What happens next is up to you.”

Just like fans, journalists were concerned with United’s identity in the past fortnight. Unfortunately, for the most part, the fourth estate fell victim to the urge for sensationalism, with few offering a more honest assessment. One such author is Danny Taylor, who writes in his article for The Guardian:

“Check the history, Gill used to say, and it would show United had never gone in for buying superstars for huge sums when they could develop their own for nothing. If only that were true. Twenty-one different clubs have broken the British transfer record since Aston Villa made a Scottish inside-forward by the name of Willie Groves the first £100 player in 1893. United, however, are the only one to have done it eight times… United are not losing their soul. They are simply playing catch-up. It is probably their only way back and, if anything, the most legitimate criticism about them returning to the highest end of the market is that they should have done it long before now.”

Among those who insisted that United’s way will never change is Ryan Giggs. In his interview for The Telegraph he talks about Falcao, management, confidence, and what it’s like to work with Louis van Gaal.

“Obviously the manager – sorry, Sir Alex – had his ways of working, basically his man-management was brilliant, his knowledge was brilliant, but he left the day-to-day stuff to Steve McClaren, Brian Kidd, Carlos Queiroz, Rene and Mick. Louis is more hands-on regarding what we’re doing day to day, he takes the sessions. It’s all very precise. He’s very vocal during training, very keen to communicate exactly what it is he wants and expects. He is calm… Louis prefers to work on the training ground.”

The same outlet is also full of praise for United’s new signing Daily Blind. Alan Smith suggests that Blind brings game intelligence to United’s midfield and goes on to say:

“…it was clear right away how well Blind reads the game. Adept at offering the right angle to the man in possession, he kept the play moving smoothly with his one‑touch passing… Lacking the athleticism of Bryan Robson, the power of Roy Keane or the long-range vision of Paul Scholes, the new man compares more closely to Michael Carrick, who, when fit, might experience some problems finding a place in this side. Like Carrick, Blind is a continuity player also responsible for sniffing out danger and blocking off avenues. Not so much of a strong tackler, he goes about that defensive side leaning more on anticipation and interceptions.”

“You keep rolling with the marital discord, and I see you across from Oprah on a big yellow couch”

By the time Wayne Rooney retires he might have scored the most goals and submitted the most transfer requests in United’s history – and the joke will be on the fans. Should this be allowed this to happen?

“That’ll leave Van Gaal with a big call to make: dropping Wayne Rooney… A few weeks ago, I read Jamie Redknapp’s column saying more or less the exact opposite – saying (ahead of the arrival of Di Maria and Falcao) that Rooney would be the only United player who’d get into the side at Chelsea or Manchester City. I actually laughed out loud when I read it, because it’s just total rubbish… He’s not a patch on the likes of Diego Costa or Sergio Aguero – and as we’ve seen in the past, rather than react by upping his game and sharpening up his act, he’s more likely to down tools and start sulking about his treatment. In retrospect he should probably have been sold to Chelsea last summer…”

“Enter: the Wazza Paradox. Here is a footballer who has been elevated to the pinnacle of what he could reasonably hope to achieve – captain of club and country – at precisely the stage in his career when he is no longer able to fulfil with genuine distinction either function… Above all he has lost that sense of absolute joyful certainty in his own powers, reduced instead at times to whirling about fretfully between the lines like a dying crab, eyes fogged with grit, gargling brine and scurf, pincers snapping at empty air.”

“Who gives diamonds to the homeless?”

What did the past two games, against QPR and Leicester City, have in common? The correct answer is: formation. United employed a midfield diamond, but to rather different outcomes. After a victory over QPR, Stretty News’ John Deehan was straightforward:

“Surely there can’t be many United fans out there, especially in the wake of the QPR game, who are gunning for a return to [3-5-2] which seemed so alien to the players it may as well have come under Chapter 2 in the David Moyes’ Big Book of Tactics – Chapter 1 being The Art of Crossing.”

Unfortunately, when it comes to properly defending with a diamond, United still has a lot of work to do. Pearson admitted: “We had done our research this week and their attacking options are frightening but the diamond formation they play leaves a lot of space behind the full backs and we looked to exploit that.” The press, led by Redknapp and Carragher, destroyed United’s defending much like their namesake Jamie Vardy did. while Gary Neville simply called United soft-centred.

“The game should still have been in their control. Instead, they were nervous. When you are in that situation, leadership matters…In the past, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been that voice, but they have gone and not been replaced. Instead, against Leicester, United had 20-year-old Tyler Blackett at the heart of their defence… The Leicester players were given far too much space. Blind got lots of praise this week for the way he shielded the defence against QPR and set the tempo with his passing – but that was a completely different game…This time, with the pace and energy of Leicester, plus the number of players they pushed forward, the game by-passed him a little bit… if United want to challenge against the top sides then they have to look at changing their system or their personnel…You could really only argue that Luke Shaw should be given a chance now, and that Phil Jones would play if he is fit. But that is it. So a change in system is probably more realistic.”

More reading…

Andy Mitten tells a great story for Scandinavia Supporters Club’s site.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a jealous of the attention United’s new signings are receiving, so claims The Telegraph.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail reports that Van Gaal ordered players, including Antonio Valencia, once Cristiano’s, ahem, replacement, to take English lessons. It is also reported that he ruled that players hand in their mobile phones the night before matches.

Media Digest is United Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs. This time, with the transfer deadline coming on Monday, we cover a little bit more than a week – including reaction to what was surprisingly the busiest day of a busy week.

Blogs
Blogs resemble airport lounges at the moment – it’s all about departures and arrivals, at least for the past – and, certainly, next – nine days.

“Sex on Fire”

“United is not a big club anymore,” they said. “You can’t get big players without the Champions League,” their manager said. Well, look at that: here’s Angel Di Maria in the flesh at Carr… sorry, the Aon Training Complex. But, taking the mickey out of Scousers aside, is Di Maria a luxury or, rather, a necessity? That’s the question that Leo Nieboer investigates in his article for Red Mancunian. He emphasizes that the Argentinean “provides 3 things that [our] midfield has sorely missed; speed, stamina and the conviction to go and beat players,” before straightforwardly concluding with “at the end of the day if you’re not happy about this guy joining the club then there is something seriously wrong with you.”

While United has finally spent big in a single transfer window, actually breaking a few British records by spending close to £150 million, another burning question remains: what do you do with all the underperforming players? Wayne Barton tackled the difficult task of defending a few of them or, at least, bringing some justice into the picture, in his article for the Talk of the Devils called “Defending the Dross Bros at United”. In it, Barton touches on the popular idea of Sir Alex Ferguson sabotaging the club:

“Ferguson won the league in his last season in charge so were these players really average? This is a very different question to asking if, in August 2014, they deserve to be at the club. Can we really be expected to believe that Phil Jones, David De Gea, Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie are players that the manager felt were average and that he was ‘pissing away’ money?.. Similarly, are United to blame for the escalation in wages? Perhaps they have contributed to the problem but are not solely responsible.”

And the dross bros? “They just weren’t good enough for United to build their next title winning squad around. And that’s not a crime.”

Indeed, but can you say that about some players’ lack of effort? Meanwhile, Doron Solomon looks into the curious case of Tom Cleverley for Stretford-End. Fourteen years into his relationship with United, Tom has left for yet another loan spell, which will be his last before he leaves the club for good. The hope, the brand, the scapegoat. “To many, the player built up unfairly as the next great central midfielder came to symbolise United’s demise in central midfield.” It seems like the right, but never perfect, time to say goodbye:

“Clearly, for both Manchester United and Tom Cleverley himself this is the right decision; his confidence is shot and United need a different type of player in midfield, especially as in the current plight they cannot afford any passengers. However, what has become of him was to some extent not his own doing… He is a good, hard-working professional who can at least leave having captained United; even though it was on a pre-season tour, this was something he was incredibly proud of… I hope he isn’t damaged beyond repair… Finally, those rejoicing at his departure have lost sight of what their football club represents. For all United’s success, it is the ability to bring players through from the academy to first team that is the most long-standing.”

“Over the course of the last seven years, Anderson has spiralled from one of the hottest properties in world football to an overweight laughing stock. It is one of the biggest falls from grace the English game has ever seen.”

A sad story indeed.

Contrary pessimistic predictions just a few weeks ago it’s not all doom and gloom around Old Trafford on 2 September. Probably due to its unexpected nature, United’s deal for Ramadel Falcao’s became a cherry on top of our unusually busy transfer window cake. Henry Winter of The Telegraph thinks that even though United did not really need another striker, the deal makes sense in every possible way. He clearly admires the player:

“This is the real beauty of Falcao. Goals. Just ask his victims.”

The question is, how will United line-up now? In his column for The Guardian Jonathan Wilson thinks that Louis van Gaal will persevere with a 3-5-2 system:

“It was not thoughtless idealism, sticking to a philosophy come what may; above all else, he is a pragmatist, and, besides, 3-5-2 only became his preferred shape in March.”

Wilson also claims that United’s recent signings, such as Di Maria, support this theory – even though van Gaal has said that he might change the system to build the team around the Argentinean.

The same outlet also reports on Borussia Dortmund selling 5,000 Shinji Kagawa’s shirts in one day, as the Japanese returns back to his former club. To put this into perspective, recent reports suggest that United sells on average nearly 1.5 million replica shirts per year – second only to Real Madrid.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

Blogs

This week, supporters were mostly concerned with the captain’s position, club owners and some of the players. That’s, of course, when they weren’t discussing transfer rumours – but this is Rant, so let’s not go there.

“Do me a favour, stop asking questions!”

Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes – none of them was properly replaced. Despite all the talk, United has not been in the business of making big signings – Robin van Persie an exception to the rule in recent years. Now that Ferguson’s genius has gone too the truth that United fans knew long ago is plain – this squad needs a major surgery. This summer has again been one of disappointments, even though the club has already signed three players – with one more on the way next week, it seems. And the fans know whom to blame for that.

Talks of “showdown” talks between Van Gaal and Woodward are not surprising and this United fan would love to be a fly on the wall of that meeting! I can just imagine King Louis tea-bagging Ed Woodward before handing in his resignation in the form of a #GlazersOut tattoo imprinted onto Woodward’s forehead. Van Gaal has nothing to prove and if the board don’t give him the tools he requires to succeed then he is likely to seek a final swansong elsewhere. And I for one wouldn’t blame him. At 63, he’s not likely to want a five year re-building project.

“In the late 1970s… Bruce Springsteen used to add a verse to one of his signature songs… “You lied,” sang Springsteen, initially in a melancholic, matter of fact voice, before following the music’s crescendo to utter those words in a mixture of ferocious anger and disgust. Ed Woodward is nobody’s idea of a lost love, but, bar major surprises, United fans could soon be uttering those words soon… United have tolerated mediocrity for far too long and if the club is serious about ensuring last season was only a blip rather than the beginning of a new era, then Woodward must walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.”

So, Rooney is United’s new captain. If you are as psyched as we are, you’re not psyched at all. That’s the view also shared by Scott at The Republik of Mancunia, who writes:

“Maybe it’s silly of me to want someone who is properly committed to the club and doesn’t talk shit to be our captain. We can listen to Rooney talk of his pride and happiness at being captain of “this great club” and pretend he didn’t ask to leave twice within the space of three years to join our rivals. We can watch him kiss the badge after scoring and kid ourselves that this is a player who really loves Manchester United.”

He also notes that:

“But then maybe that’s just the way football works though. Whilst Nemanja Vidic didn’t behave like Rooney and his agent always denied transfer rumours, it was almost certain he was leaving us for Italy a few years ago. Then out of nowhere he signed a new contract and leapfrogged Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, who’d always worn the armband ahead of him in Gary Neville’s absence, to be named captain…”

That’s the opinion shared by many. Supporters might not always be very fond of all the things Rooney, but isn’t it time to move on? Darren from The Talk of the Devils certainly thinks so:

“When Roy Keane did it back in the 90′s and very publicly stated he wanted £100,000 a week or he was off the fans backed him. You can argue about whether you feel Keane is a better or more important player to United then than Rooney is now but they are just semantics. The key here is that the issue is exactly the same… Have you ever thought that Van Gaal has come in with a cold heart and cold eyes and simply looked at who is the most suitable candidate and chosen Rooney?.. Fans have to understand that players don’t love clubs like we do.”

Or to paraphrase the Arctic Monkeys: a kiss would be too much to ask.

“This House Is A Circus”

The enigma that is Nani will be missed at United – at least that’s what Old Trafford Faithful’s Fabby thinks. “He doesn’t deserve to be remembered by his last two seasons for the club. He deserves to be remembered by his two best seasons,” Fabby reminisces before wrapping up by noting:

“So he’s off. Off to a league for which he is most certainly too good. Off to play for his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon. A quiet exit for a player who could be world-class the first minute, and play like he had never played football before the next. Somewhere between genius and insanity, Nani will be missed. Perhaps more than we can imagine.”

Well, as far as Nani’s Sporting (re)debut goes maybe not so much: he missed a penalty and earned a yellow card before being substituted. Supporters will always cherish his penalty in Moscow though.

Meanwhile, Red Mancunian looks into the curious case of Nick Powell. The youngster’s absence on the US tour raised a few eyebrows and it was something of a strange relief to find out it was due to an injury and not having already fallen out of grace with the new manager.

“Powell’s loan spell at Wigan last season was very successful and he ended up top goal scorer at the Latics with 11 goals and got some great European experience playing in the Europa League. Though now the rumours have started to circulate that Powell was ready to go back to the Championship on loan… But considering United’s squad and lack of midfielders there isn’t really a reason why Powell shouldn’t get a decent go in the side unless new players are signed.”

Still, a new player has been signed, albeit not a midfielder. The Peoples Person comes up with reasons United fans will love Marcos Rojo. The Argentinian has a unique way to clear corners alright; made Robben look stupid once – this is a good one! – but then again, van Gaal loves Robben, so that’s kinda confusing too.

Also confusing: do the Glazers really think all is good now?

Press

United’s poor start to the new season was a blessing for the mainstream press, giving birth to myriad speculation.

“Oh there’s a very pleasant side to you, a side I much prefer…”

There has been plenty written about United’s new manager, but in case you’ve missed something, the Guardian features The Van Gaal Dossier, which contains some interesting infographics and some very specific fonts.

Meanwhile, it’s finally happened. David Moyes offered an “EXCLUSIVE!!!” interview on the subject of his time at United – to Daily Mail. Undoubtedly the first of many to come. Of course, getting there first meant a good deal of drama for Mail’s reporters: “Inside, however, he is suffering. Not least because it is not in the nature of a proud, working-class Scotsman to be idle. He wants to work. He needs to work…”

“Do you want me crawling back to you?”

The state of affairs at United, with the apparent shortcomings in the transfer market – and, lately, the trophy cabinet too – pushed some outlets to dedicated space to the real source of United’s problems. TheGuardian’s David Conn looks at how Glazers continue to thrive while “Manchester United flounder.” There should be more articles like this.

Former players are none too comfortable with the situation at United either. Unfortunately, while being honest and straightforward in his column for The Independent, Paul Scholes failed to mention Glazers once. Noted, Paul.

“I am scared for United. Genuinely scared that they could go into the wilderness in the same way that Liverpool did in the 1990s.”

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of the family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s a day spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

BLOGS

As bloggers sober from the derby win, after examining every moment in microscopic detail, rewatching Robin van Persie’s goal for the hundredth time, and wondering how lucky Rio Ferdinand is to retain two functioning eyes, Rant takes a look at the best articles of the week. (Hey, City, “There’s one more guy you pissed off… His name is Phil.“)

“I still believe in heroes”

Wow, just wow. More than a week has passed, but United fans are still pretty excited: the noisy neighbours are silent once again and the Reds go marching on (on, on!) The last 10 minutes prior to van Persie’s winner were pure agony, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men first trying to not lose an advantage, then fighting to stay in the game.

But Sir Alex’ bold move, noted on this week’s Rant Cast, paid off big time. What seemed destined to become a story of injustice and despair turned out to be one with a fairy-tale ending. Victory is not revenge for the last season’s drama – nothing will, bar securing the Premier League – but fans will settle for a derby win. For now.

And the moment when van Persie’s strike hit the net?

Steve Rogers: Stark, are you seeing any of this? Tony Stark: Seeing, still working on believing.

For all the top teams, it’s important to get squad rotation right. Having already alluded to the exceptions – goalkeeper rotation and overuse of older generation – Ferguson has proved year after year that he is the master of this. Rarely do you hear of United’s players discontent. Javier Hernandez is positively beaming when he comes off the bench to score a winner, in stark contrast to the moody Edin Dzeko at City.

Steve Rogers: Stark, we need a plan of attack! Tony Stark: I have a plan: attack!

Then we got the free kick. Despite myself, I had a sixth sense it would go in. It seemed to happen in slow motion. There was only the tiniest gap between Hart’s hand and the post. The ball span towards us and into the goal. The rest is noise.

There’s a nice line in The Avengers: “You know, when you say ‘peace’, I kind of think you mean the other thing.” And so it is when fourth estate echoes authorities, in demanding fans should be hoarded behind nets and that players should be forbidden from celebrating in front of their own supporters.

Whoever threw the two pence coin at Ferdinand is, of course, an idiot but one imbecile doesn’t justify a dozen moronic suggestions from the powers that be. More importantly, actors from the both sides of divide are too quick to jump on the blame bandwagon. Darren Jennings is furious, as he articulates in “The Blame Game”, 7Cantonas:

I believe too many fans are simply spoilt. We think we have a divine right to see our team win, especially at home. On our patch we can call opposing players every name under the sun and they should take it like automatons. God forbid they should ever score against us. However should they then celebrate that goal right in front of us by doing a crap little dance that even the gangnam-style bloke would think was uncool, well thats licence for us to attack them isn’t it. After all we only suggested that they sexually abuse children and animals or hoped that their own offspring died of cancer. Fans really do have to get a sense of perspective and realise that you cannot constantly dish it out and not expect to never receive any back. Football doesn’t work like that, just as life does not work like that.

Are we seriously saying that if your team scores a last minute winner against your title and local rivals you shouldn’t be allowed to celebrate with your fans? And that if you do celebrate with your fans and are in throwing distance of opposition fans you deserve everything that’s coming to you? Do me a favour. On Radio 5 Live, these moronic people text and called in to try and lay blame at Rio’s door. Thankfully, Paddy Crerand was on the case, and put these idiots straight.

Tony Stark: I thought we were having a moment. Pepper Potts: I was having twelve percent of a moment.

It seems like fans must take a long look at themselves if those precious little moments are not to become extinct.

You put those people together, you can’t expect what’s going to happen

If Michael Carrick cares what fans think of him, the midfielder may be a proud man this week. Often a past scapegoat, Carrick is now praised by many, including some of his more stubborn critics. But has the midfielder filled a Roy Keane-shaped hole in United’s midfield?

Actually, a comparison with the great Roy Keane is probably as apt as it ever has been. Not because of their style or in the sense of leadership. Rather, Carrick’s made himself invaluable to the side through his intelligence and sheer repetitiveness of every single thing he does – his role in the team makes him a guaranteed starter almost every game. Whether it’s a pass or tackle you can be sure that it’s almost always perfectly executed to the highest level. His perfect partner is arguably yet to be found but putting energy and dynamism around him appears to be the best route for a generally underwhelming midfield. In fact, Keane in his pomp would probably thrive playing with the Carrick of today.

Carrick’s partner is in for some praise too. Tom Cleverley, whose “brand” is the butt the many jokes, emerged as one of the team’s key players in the past week. Sam Peoples briefly reviews Tom’s current performances in his blog The Peoples Person.

While press speculation about Nani’s move to Arsenal was just that, many can’t help but wonder how long it is before the Portuguese winger leaves the club. As Stark said: “I thought I didn’t qualify. I was considered, what was it? Volatile, self-obsessed, and I don’t play well with others.” Can Nani can overcome a similar problem or does the winger’s future lie somewhere else? Red Flag Flying Highwonders.

For those of you who still dream of Cristiano – ‘they’ say, his agent is looking for an option to bring the player back to England, so you never know – The Busby Way has a video from Anton Alfy on Ronaldo’s United years.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of the family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s a day spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

BLOGS

Another week, another comeback: fitting not only to the season so far, but to the occasion, as United unveiled Sir Alex Ferguson’s statue. A lot of praise mixed with some disapproval in this week’s digest, as the heroes of the past returned. Although she once sang that “blue [is] the most human color”, our hostess this week is Regina Spektor.

“The sculptor’s marble sends regards, They made a statue of us”

There are times fans may disagree with Ferguson, and even feel ashamed of his behaviour at times, but the manager means a world to United fans. “Love” would be too strong a word for some, as they quite simply do not forgive and forget when it comes to Glazers, but the chant of “Every single one of us loves Alex Ferguson” is still sung loud and clear during games.

Indeed, whatever your views are on how Fergie handles the press or whom he supports, there is a sense of gratitude for what Sir Alex has done for United.

The Busby Wayquotes Sir Bobby Charlton: “we didn’t in our wildest dreams think that it would last as long as this. He’s just a sensational manager, I keep repeating it, [but] others must look on in envy.”

Last Friday marked a special occasion, as many United legends and greats – including Bryan Robson, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Eric Cantona – came to Old Trafford as special guests for the unveiling of Ferguson’s statue.

“Normally people die before they see their statue. I’m outliving death!” the boss jokes, with a humor both light-hearted and dark. The fire is still burning despite being just a month short of 71-years-old. Certainly, as Republik of Mancunia reports, Ferguson didn’t need a second invitation to fire a first shot at newly appointed Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez this week.

While other teams have sometimes been much more pleasing on the eye, Manchester United were often called “the worst United side to win the league”. It is this ability to constantly defy critics and bring the best out of the players brought in that truly make Sir Alex the greatest manager of all times.

“They’ll… later say it’s all our fault, Then they’ll give us a talking to”

Howver, life wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows for fans. Once again, United failed to impress in the first 60 or so minutes of the game against Queens Park Ranger, owing the positive result to QPR’s mediocrity. With United topping the league table, and in the knockout stage of the Champions League, there’s no need to panic, but with so many bad signs, nervous are many fans.

While in the end the result rewarded United, their tendency to forget tempo and pressure in the dressing room is a problem that a world class team can’t afford, let alone a team like United whose shortcomings appear with alarming regularity. Fans must be wondering which one is the real United – the shockingly bad one of the first 58 minutes or the blood and thunder one that scored three times in 10 minutes?

There is no doubt players under-performed against the Hammers, but it’s the manager who’s often held responsible for team’s failures. Has Fergie become too sentimental to let some players go? That’s what a number of bloggers argued.

Whatever Fergie and Gill claim publicly the tightening purse strings have denied us the opportunity to make the changes clearly needed. The gaping hole in the centre of our midfield would be visible to my partially-sighted grandmother, looking through a telescope from the moon. Fergie is one of the best managers in the history of the game. A glaringly obvious lack of quality in the centre of the pitch is not something that is likely to have just passed him by. He just can’t do anything about it. Or is it that he just feels obliged not to, out of loyalty to a couple of his most trusted lieutenants? Has Fergie simply got a bit softer with age?

Manchester United supporters will be showing their affection for Eric, with a special week of tributes to pay homage to the great man. #cantonaweek kicks off with a supporters charity evening in honour of Eric, at The Bishops Blaize pub on the Friday night (23rd Nov). Hosted by Pete Boyle, tickets are £2 and are available from The Bishops. A special tribute message from Eric himself will be played on the screen during the night… Prior to the West Ham game, a supporters Cantona march will take place before the game.

The latest issues of popular fanzines Red News and United We Stand also featured Cantona related stories and both have the Frenchman on the cover.

The refreshingly blunt Keane would remind this group of Liverpool players that they were indeed underachievers, going at them like the wooden targets in a shooting range, one by one for verbal practice. Phil Babb would get it. John Scales, too: “You’re rubbish as well, with your England B cap, you’re nowt, rubbish.” And then Redknapp who, like Scales, tried to make peace and failed. “What the hell have you done in the game?” Keane would ask, most likely rhetorically.

Meanwhile, Devils of Manchester notes an interesting example of hatred. In his book My Premier League Diary, Swansea City defender Ashley Williams writes that he’d love to knock Suarez out. Amazingly, as if the Being Liverpool television series wasn’t embarrassing enough for the club and Brendan Rogers… [the book] “was actually sanctioned by Brendan Rogers during his time as Swansea City manager.”

Finally, Scott from Republik of Mancunia is enraged by United ripping the fans off. Apparently, the club thinks it’s okay to give away City away tickets to random businesses, rather then ensure fans get them.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of the family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s a day spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of Manchester United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

BLOGS

This week few goalkeeper-related stories, apart from David De Gea’s dental problems. With goalkeeping sagas on hold, bloggers focused on every other position on the field, covering United’s attack, midfield, and defense in depth. As if some bloggers knew the outcome of the Norwich City match ahead of time, many worried about United’s tendency to not show up for large parts of matches.

Running on and out of luck

They say, United doesn’t lose, the team just runs out of time. Well, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side might well have run out of luck during the recent trip to Norwich – or was the side so busy running that it forgot to show up? Nonetheless, as United fans take time to digest the display against Norwich, the many comebacks in recent months have reminded supporters of one of the club’s key assets.

Stretford-End contains a nice list of the comebacks fans have seen this season, as well as some of the greatest over the years. Sheffield Wednesday: – “Bruce?! YES! Uuunbelievable!” – with Fergie and Brian Kidd celebrating in style. Juventus: – “Roy Keane with a captain’s goal for Manchester United, game on!.. It’s towards Yorke, it’s two-two!.. Cole will finish it off – full speed ahead Barcelona!”. Just one step from the Promised Land. And then to the final itself – sure the best of all.

Talking of that amazing treble-winning team, Red Army wonders if Fergie is going to successfully recreate the 1999 formula, with four brilliant strikers on his books. It’s certainly not going to be easy managing the quarter, with each trying desperate to play in Ferguson’s first XI. Nonetheless, it worked once, why shouldn’t Ferguson try again?

One striker did stand over the past few weeks – Javier Hernández. Even though the Mexican was a poor against Norwich, United’s ‘super-sub’ deserves praise he has gained in recent weeks. The 23-year-old’s second season wasn’t as good as his first, but the striker in great form now. Over at “The Summer of Javier Hernandez”, Can They Score? fans are genuinely excited about Hernández’ game this season:

But it’s so much more than that. His ability to move around the box and draw defenders who had previously looked like Maldini and Baresi out of position has no equal. Ron Vlaar, the Villa captain, had marshalled his defense to near perfection prior to Hernandez being bought on. The Little Pea’s intelligent movement, which took him to the wing, into the box, and saw him come deep into midfield left Villa’s defenders somewhere near lobotomized. Indeed, even Antonio Valencia began to run at and beat his marker, perhaps reminded by Chicharito that these were, after all, just men.

The never-ending story

So many great comebacks distracted fans from some of Ferguson’s problems, but for every point dropped there are seemingly three articles on United’s midfield troubles. Get into the mood by comparing midfield stats, courtesy of Republik of Mancunia.

To paraphrasing Sir Matt, “if they’re good enough, they’re young enough”. However, even when they are as good as Paul Scholes, the Reds# veterans are getting no younger – over-reliance on players who are now far from their best, like Ryan Giggs, can’t be a good sign.

Scholes played well last season. He was a huge asset and without him it is likely we would have been more than just an Aguero away from winning the league. The summer, though, provided ample time for reflection. Maybe it was time to be bold. Maybe the presence (and wages) of Scholes and Giggs prevented the midfield additions that could elevate United to a level where they could compete more evenly in the higher echelons of the Champions League. However, if it was a thought for Ferguson, it was a fleeting one.

Sir Alex obviously sees a lot in him having already touting him to be ‘the next Paul Scholes’, and he obviously trusts him already by using him off the bench for the first team in league game as well as the epic Capital One Cup tie at Stamford Bridge last month. As we’ve already qualified I’d like to see him start in the Champions League games against Galatasaray and Cluj, there would be no pressure on him and he can go out there and play his natural game. I wouldn’t expect to see him go out on loan either, he can do a job already within the squad and if we were to have a midfield injury crisis he is more than capable of stepping in. He could well be a regular in the side within the next year or so.

In head-to-head articles, The People Person echoes Jordan’s thoughts. “His progress has been fantastic already in his short United career”, writes Jonny Escott.

When veterans go, other players have to take responsibility on their shoulders. Some see it as the opportunity to shine. For others it could be a burden, or should that be a burger? Nathon Woodhead, in a guest post on The Faithful MUFC, is rooting for Anderson to finally conquer United’s midfield.

The manager experimented with Jones in there, and guess what? He excelled again. During the usual hectic nature of the festive football period, Jones was entrusted to provide energy and be a threatening box-to-box player. Incidentally, he scored his professional goal from midfield for United in a 1-0 away success against Aston Villa, and went on to be outstanding in later fixtures against Wolves and QPR in midfield. Ok, they are hardly the most stringent of tests, but you can only beat what is in front of you and Jones showed he had the potential to be a very dynamic central midfielder. This run of terrific form led to Capello selecting Jones in centre midfield for his England debut.

A midfield quartet of Shinji agawa, Jones, Tom Cleverley, and Anderson certainly sounds promising. For now though, it ends there.

Reading about Manchester United of late and their ‘over-reliance’ on Robin Van Persie doesn’t change anything at all. There isn’t a team on this planet that wouldn’t rely on such a clinical finisher. The problem here is not the ‘over-reliance’ on Van Persie but the option not to rely on a midfielder. Out of Carrick, Cleverley, Fletcher and Anderson it is pretty tough to think of them as the reason a game was won. The latter’s exerts in the League cup aside, it’s a mediocre foursome of players for a top of the table club; in England or in Europe… Wayne Rooney’s potential as an all-round midfielder far outweighs his exploits as a striker thus far.

When attacking is not enough

“I know what you’re thinking,” says Harry Callahan. in Dirty Harry. “‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?”

In the course of the season, almost every United fan has felt like that punk for a moment, afraid that the Reds’ opponents will have another trick up the sleeve. Yet, until Norwich’s victory last weekend, only against Tottenham Hotspur was ‘unlucky’ enough. Has all those wonderful comebacks hidden the truth? More often than not, United has been awful while defending.

That itself means Wanyama would now cost United far more than the quoted £7M from last summer, it looks likely that figure could inflate closer to £20M, and if that happens, regardless of whether we sign him or not, his name can be added to the ever growing list of players we hesitated to sign then jumped in feet first when it was too late to pay a reasonable fee or simply lost out on. Now though, with the possible pending departure of Rio Ferdinand next summer and the uncertainty surrounding Nemanja Vidic’s future fitness, I think our biggest most important vacancy is at the centre of defence.

Not so long ago fans were all excited about the club’s young defenders. Soon enough Jones, Chris Smalling et al. will have to fight on without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. In United’s Game of Thrones, winter is coming.

Fortunately, there is hope. The outstanding defender this season has been Rafael da Silva. In fact, the Brazilian has impressed fans so much that some even rate him as the second best player in the team. As “Rafael da Silva, the best of the second bests”, ManUtd24 argues, “after four years of enthusiastic bouncing around ‘There’ and ‘Not Quite There’, has finally made firm his place in the starting eleven.”

So it once was a ‘Football Club’

Despite signing an initiative that requires the club to speak to its fans United refuses to acknowledge IMUSA as long as the group supports anti-Glazer protests. The club believes it is not breaking any rules as the refusal is not with any individuals. The following is a fascinating excerpt from a larger interview – “How United talks to fans – a Reds Away investigation”, Reds Away:

Q. How did Mr Gill reply?

A: He wrote to IMUSA: “The club is aware of both Article 35…and the Premier League’s rule R1… The club is compliant with both… The club remains committed to improving supporter contact and has invested heavily in infrastructure, personnel and expertise to facilitate the two-way information flow between fans and the club… However, with regard to your own organisation, I see no reason to deviate from the position I set out to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in 2011 (when I said) ‘We do not communicate with certain fan groups, but they have an avowed aim to change the ownership… It would be slightly strange to enter into dialogue with those groups that have that intention or that objective.’”

“You should support your local club you glory hunter.” How on earth am I supposed to do that after all this time? Please, tell me. If you’ve been married for twenty+ years to a woman you love, and this woman truly loves you, could you go through with a divorce just because people say that you should? Just because they all say – with no proper or clear reasons why – that your marriage is wrong? Of course not. It’s bullshit. The people who find themselves able to do so didn’t care for the woman (/football club, do keep up with this tenuous metaphor) to begin with, anyway. ‘Till death do us part and all that.

More…

Angelo Henriquez, United’s starlet, scored with a header in his first game for the senior Chile team, as La Roja lost 3-1 to Serbia. In September, Angelo also scored on his debut for United under-21s. United fans have plenty to be excited about . The goal can be found on The Busby Way.

Meanwhile, Beautifully Red announced the winner of the The October ‘GIF Moment’ of the Month. Check out the post to find out the winner and nominees.

The Telegraph – quotes Pogba on Fergie’s propensity to tell jokes than the hairdryer. The paper also compares four Premier League clubs’ chances of landing Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard’s sabbatical ends, remarking that “following Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford is arguably the worst job in football.” Finally, The Telegraph reports on United’s finances and wage cap.

Daily Mail – fears that Ashley Young has turned into a one-trick pony, reports that United scouts have watched Porto’s Alex Rodriguez for the seventh time this season, and argues that a mega bid for Wilfried Zaha is on. Daily Mail also has a big article on Solskjaer’s second triumph with Molde.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of the family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s a day spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of United-related news and blogs – Media Digest. This week, delivered a little late!

Steve Jobs loved Bob Dylan. “The Times They Are a-Changin'” was among his favourites; Jobs even quoted the song when unveiling the Macintosh in 1984. Steve was a controversial figure: “a Buddhist and a tyrant, a genius and a jerk”.

It’s doubtful that this generation’s footballers will be spoken of in the same reverential terms, but all their skills and flaws, just like Steve himself, some are gradually winning over the critics. Meet this week’s guests: Anderson, Jonny Evans and Javier Hernández.

For some time now, Anderson presented a major challenge to United’s coaches. Anderson has always been able to learn new skills and make use of the old tricks up his sleeve, but in order to achieve that you had to feed him really well.

The Brazilian posted pictures of his meals on Instagram and got replies such as this from omar_chowdhury: “You need to stop eating and go to the gym! You always look a bit fat when you come back to pre season”.

And while we sighed and laughed, for the most part, fans just felt sad that Anderson had not lived up to lofty expectations. It’s not that the latter were too high; it’s the player who usually failed to deliver despite boasting so much talant.

Fans missed the confident young man who drilled the ball into the net in the Champions League final shootout, but too often was nowhere to be seen. Injuries didn’t help either; paired with Tom Cleverley, Anderson drove United forward in the first months of the 2011/12 campaign, but the idyll ended too soon.

In some ways, this season resembles the previous one; Anderson had a good start. In what might be his “do or die” season, the midfielder has scored one goal in four games and assisted all three against Chelsea.

The 23-year-old has impressed some critics, although many seem reluctant to accept that the player is good enough until he has to proven his worth over the season.

DEAR ANDERSON, I would like to start off this letter by saying “I knew it”. “Knew what?” I hear you ask. The answer is simple: I knew all along that you had it in you. That you had it in you to turn critics around (so far) and show the world what you are capable of. Your last few performances at the club have been nothing short of wonderful. People said you had lost it, that you should be sold, that you were a waste of space. Those people are now very quickly changing their minds. It shows how fickle human beings can be.

It’s fair to say that Tom loves Anderson, going so far as to criticise Sir Alex Ferguson for Anderson’s lack of fitness: “Starting once every 2 weeks or so can only hinder one’s fitness… This is not your fault. If anyone’s, it’s Sir Alex Ferguson’s.”

In the end though, United fans should probably follow two rules. The first: ‘support your team’, with the implication of being patient with players even if they under-perform. The second argues that fans can only support players so far, as Matthew Perry’s character says in his the actors latest show Go On: “It’s our job as fans to say ‘thanks for the memories, you make us sad now, please, go away!'”

Evans is another player who divides opinions. While the majority of the fans view the Northern Irishman as a future leader, some of them simply refuse to buy into the assessment.

Of course, that Evans has been at United since the age of nine warms the hearts of many, but his performances, especially in the absence of Nemanja Vidic, helped to silence his critics more than anything else.

During this sublime spell of high-class defending from Evans, he received high-praise from the manager as a result of his stellar showings. Sir Alex said, “I don’t know what the fans thought but there were never any doubts in my mind about Evans. He had a period of a few injuries but he has toughened up now, he’s done a lot of work in the gymnasium and he’s 24 years of age. He’s been a top player for us this year. There is no doubt he has been helped playing alongside the experience of Rio and he is now arguably the best defender in the country. “I must admit my heart sank a little when I learned just how long Nemanja Vidic was going to be out. He and Rio Ferdinand had become the cornerstone of our defence but Rio responded brilliantly, despite his back problem, and has now struck up a fine partnership with Evans. Together they have been rock solid to give us great consistency in defence.”

With Rio Ferdinand and Vidic getting no younger, United must seek for the players that are ready to lead the club’s future defence. While Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have bright futures, it looks like Evans, who is only 24, is the one to rely on in the near-term.

After all, Evans is yet to commit a foul this season. He will, of course, just as the defender will make mistakes too. Will the fans have his back? They really should.

Meanwhile, Hernández – who suffered second season syndrome and was written off by many fans after United bought Robin van Persie this summer – is having the best of times in recent weeks. Five goals in eleven games from United’s fourth choice striker!

Another key element in order to see off your rivals is squad harmony. Many initially believed that the marquee signing of Robin Van Persie would force Chicharito to consider his options, as chances appeared to be limited, at least on paper. Not once, however, has the Mexican complained or thrown the toys out of the pram at not starting every week. Chicharito appears to be a very level-headed human being, who seems to just be eternally grateful that he is playing for the best club in world football. He is still living the dream.

“United will and have found time for him this season,” the author goes on. It looks like Hernández, who has little future at Old Trafford according to some, is thriving on challenge.

In Thus Spoke Zarathustra Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “The spirit now wills his own will, and he who had been lost to the world now conquers the world.”

Well, here’s to United’s under-appreciated trio winning over their critics and bringing trophies to Old Trafford!

The Arsenal-United rivalry

Even the delusional Piers Morgan couldn’t help but tweet: “We haven’t sent a worse side to Old Trafford in the Premier League since…oh, last year” just day after the broadcaster claimed that he would renew Wenger’s contract for “1000 years” should Arsenal win, and that he would rather Arsenal beat United the next day than Barcelona in 2006 Champions League final.

However, the Arsenal-United rivalry that once was the benchmark to both clubs and the League itself, ceased to be so recently. As Sean Geraghty rightly notices in his article “We Used To Have Something Special” (7Cantonas), it is special no more.

Thinking of Keown pouncing on Van Nistelrooy still riles me up. Or pretty much anything Henry ever did against us, the brilliant bastard that he was. But nothing defines the rivalry more than Vieira vs Keane for me. Two battling midfielders who drove their clubs to success. Two men who probably had a begrudging respect for each other. But on the pitch, they were enemies and they went to war. Two generals leading their armies out to the field of battle. It never got any better than that. Sure, Arsenal have had some snidey players over the years, but it’s just not the same as it used to be. There’s no players left there who you could really care about one way or another, nobody you love to hate. Scezcney’s good for a quote, but that’s about it.

While, Sean argues, United too is not the power it once was, the club has managed to contend for titles at home and abroad in recent years. Arsenal has slipped from a lofty pedestal with no recovery in sight. Moreover, the spirit is gone too; Liverpool has been in United’s shadow for two decades, but the side manages to up it’s game when United is in town. The same can’t be said about Arsenal.

As Sean concludes, “There’s just not that spark that there used to be. And it’s sad.” Don’t you think so?

“Pride in their port, defiance in their eye”

Often blogs and press alike write about the same themes each week – although for all the need for professional journalists to be objective fan blogs are often more honest in their opinions than ‘paid’ colleagues.

Original ideas are hard to find, which is why the “Deadly Sins” series on ManUtd24 is a whiff of fresh air.

Auclair revisited Cantona’s return to Elland Road, his first since leaving Leeds United, and of his provoking of a hostile crowd. As the pre-match practice was coming to a close, Auclair writes, through the help of a friend present that day, when “the moment came to return to the dressing room, drowned in an ocean of noise, a sewer in full flow, Cantona took the ball, juggled it for a while and signed off with a volley into the top corner. The jeers doubled in ferocity but, as David [his friend] remembers it, intensified by the admiration the crowd couldn’t help but feel for such arrogance (‘We had to admit — this guy had balls’).” He had big balls.

The Future Perfect

Every fortnight, or thereabouts, there is an article in which the author tries to guess Sir Alex’ replacement. For many this is as hard as it is to imagine someone else in charge at United. But with every new season we are closing on the inevitable, and if the past taught us anything, it’s that it is hard to find a proper replacement to a great manager, at a great club.

For me, Solskjaer is a big dark horse for the job. My biggest worry about him was that he wouldn’t be assertive enough, but after seeing numerous videos on youtube, it’s clear to see that the baby faced assassin can give his players a good old telling off, similar to what Sir Alex has been renowned for in the past 20 years. He will bring something new to the job, something no other manager would be able to bring. Also, it may result in a possible link up with some of the clubs senior players like Scholes and Giggs, which could be an interesting proposition. So it’s safe to say, David Gill is going to have a very very difficult 18 months or so.

Many will prefer Ole – if teh former Red proves his managerial skills by the time the position becomes available. So far, the striker-turned-coach has done well with Molde – the side is on course to become champions for the second time in as many years. But as a fat girl might sing, Manchester United and Molde is “a thousand miles and poles apart”. There is a long road ahead for Solskjaer.

And while we are at it, there was an interesting question posed in the latest Red News: what about Gary Neville? The England coach is a big United fan, an ex-player (and a good one at that), and is the most reasonable pundit on TV right now. Besides, Neville would be a better assistant to Fergie than Mike Phelan. Something to ponder …

More…

Although United esd knocked out of the Capital One Cup, fans saw plenty of positives in the game. Youth, mixed with second-string players, was seconds away from a win at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, meanwhile, relied on first teamers such as Jua Mata Eden Hazard and Oscar to avoid embarrassment. To remind you of the beautiful side of the game, Beautifully Redpicked nine moments of Chelsea game and made some wonderful GIFs.

Meanwhile, By Far the Greatest Team argues that Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are wrong to doubt Chelsea’s racism claim. While i is seemingly unlikely that Clattenburg really abused Chelsea players, one is on a “dangerous ground to give 100% of your support,” as two high-profile racism cases have shown in the past year. However, the accusations led to a banner in the United end on Wednesday reading “CFC… standing up to racism since last Sunday.”

Finally, the goalkeeping saga at United may be irritating at times, but it’s hard to deny that the club has two fine ‘keepers. While David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard fight to become United’s number one Number One, the Reds younger keepers are hatching a plot to overcome them.

Red Flag Flying Highreports that Ben Amos views his loan to Hull City as a unique opportunity. Guided by the former United goalkeeper Gary Walsh, Amos believes he can get himself the best possible chance of knocking David and Anders off their perch.

For many, Sunday is a day spent in the company of the family and friends, reading that unfinished book, or watching a new episode of a favourite show. Over at United Rant it’s a day spent catching up on the beautiful game. Join us, in Rant’s weekly round-up of United-related news and blogs – Media Digest.

Ahead of this week’s Digest, the new section of Manchester United official site called Made Of Manchester is well worth a read, even if it is another way for the Glazer family to cash in!

BLOGS

Can They Score – “Can You Believe It’s Not Büttner?”

Jonas from Can They Score on Alexander Büttner, the fighter.

Upon signing with Manchester United one would say he seemed nervous. United fans were laughing at he they called “Tom Cleverley’s evil twin” for his rugged appearance. Therefore it was a bit anticlimactic to hear the man himself stutter over his words, not seeming assured and generally seemed nervous when interview by MUTV after signing. The aura about him was that he was a badass, wasn’t it? The video of his home community throwing a huge block party in honour of their prodigy son had further spiked the assessment that here arrived this tough, take-no-prisoners bully who’d hack down any defender that had the audacity of trying to pass him. This just couldn’t be right. more

ManUtd24 – “Manchester United’s first, last and only line of defence”

ManUtd24 argues that United needs either to find a balance between defence and attack, or just keep scoring more than the opposition.

United’s failure to prevent Charlie Adam’s £10million crosses from coming into the box were neither Evans’ or Ferdinand’s problem; in fact, as dangerous as Stoke were from the cross, United’s defenders and David de Gea made sure to limit the end result of them after Wayne Rooney’s early own goal. It is far too simplistic a view to lump everything with those easiest to blame; but when Stoke attacked, and attacked well, it was because they took advantage of the way the home side set up in attack where even the midfield had wandered forward: and the back four would then find that they are indeed the first, last and only line of defence. Sometimes, you can get away with it. They did at Old Trafford. more

The Busby Way – “Thoughts on the Fallout of Rio Ferdinand’s Protest”

The ‘hot topic’ of this weekend: Rio Ferdinand’s refusal to wear a ‘Kick It Out’ t-shirt.

Rio Ferdinand has had a tough year; he saw racism in the game trivialised by the FA and the country’s judicial system when John Terry’s trial and disciplinary hearing for apparently racially abusing his brother Anton Ferdinand were postponed so as not to clash with the European Championships. He was dropped by Roy Hodgson from the England squad to placate Terry, saw a bullet and a death threat sent to his brother by post and was jeered by Chelsea fans for defending his brother during the matter. But this was only the public side of things. more

Red Rants – “What can Argentina teach Manchester United?”

For those of you who love arguing about tactics, there is an interesting article on Red Rants on Argentina’s use of the diamond.

Manchester United could do something similar, but switch the roles of the deeper striker with the tip of the diamond. If Shinji Kagawa plays at the tip of the diamond, operating as the number 10, with license to move laterally across the entire pitch and find pockets of space to receive the ball and play it forward to Robin Van Persie, who would play as the number 9, just like Gonzalo Higuain. The deeper striker would be Wayne Rooney, playing further forward where he can put his deadly goal scoring ability to use. Instead of playing laterally like Aguero did, he would take up the vertical role that Lionel Messi played. When needed, he drops into the midfield to receive the ball and help the build-up, then getting forward into the box to threaten the opponent’s defense. more

Red Mancunian – “Why a culture change is needed in English football”

Red Mancunian contributor Shaun argues that fans have to be patient with the new generation of England kids who are “adapting this country’s game to the top”.

Despite some fantastic and very long overdue changes to the grassroots structure in England recently, there are still old attitudes and practices that our game has to face up to before advancing to a new stage of development. Patience and education are the essence of this development but this is not something that the fans of the English game seem to have in abundance and this attitude towards the game seems to be an ‘old dog, new tricks’ scenario for many of the old guard of our national game. more

Ah, here’s some fire for the good old “medical staff is responsible! – no, they’re not!” debate.

A £13m refurbishment of Carrington is almost complete and United have announced a five-year deal with Toshiba Medical Systems that will see the Japanese company provide equipment worth £12m. [Ferguson]: “‘This fantastic partnership will put us above most clubs in the world. But it is not just the supply of their medical systems, we’re also sharing the experiences together and the new ideas to come out of it. We already have a fantastic medical staff and they will relish the challenge of working with Toshiba. Sometimes maybe the supporters don’t see that. But we’ll see the benefits and the players will appreciate it. This is fantastic progress.” more

Manchester Evening News – “Time for David to become Goliath to win Manchester United keeper battle”

MEN has Gordon Banks’ thoughts on United’s goalkeepers.

England’s World Cup-winning legend Gordon Banks insists the United goalkeeper must toughen up in order to survive at Old Trafford. And he has some unorthodox advice for the Spaniard – recommending he take on a training regime more at home with Ricky Hatton than a Premier League footballer. Banks has revealed how boxing played an important role in his development from an 18-year-old rookie at Chesterfield to England’s greatest-ever No.1. And he believes it could be vital in helping de Gea get to grips with the physical challenge of playing in this country. “I’m positive it helped me,” said the Three Lions hero. more